SPIN-Farming's Garden Heroes

Measuring the economic impact of these farms and making the case from that perspective will help this cause.

“I wanted to start with the foundation of sovereignty and being able to own and control your basic needs for survival. We have all these vacant lots in the city that we aren’t doing anything with. We need to get the land so we can grow and share.”

Urban farms sprout up in KC; Who’s picking the produce and why we shop those markets “I think urban farming has become a lot trendier as of late but this is nothing new,” said KC urban farmer Nicolette Davis

Political climate change: How many of these types of urban farms will still be around after grant funding dries up?

State officials tour Reading for closer look at urban farming efforts Officials say the farms help break down barriers and create opportunities in neighborhoods.

Like all SPIN farmers, Cherie Jzar didn't wait for major policy changes or government support to start her farm. She and her husband Wisdom started up where they happened to be, using the resources they had at hand. Once they established their growing skills and a base of business, they then started reshaping the profession to their own ends and leading the status quo in new directions . Like all of us they are broadening perceptions and understandings about who can farm, where they can farm and how they can farm. Here is an update to their story.

Deep Roots CPS Farm Builds Network of Urban Farmers | Queen City Nerve At Deep Roots CPS Farm, Cherie and Wisdom Jzar have begun to cultivate a network of other urban farmers to help advocate for themselves.

Now she's thinking...
So far, they have fielded offers of interest from a dozen or so households with properties scattered across Camden County, and will use those to support direct-to-consumer sales of their produce.

Magic Thistle Farm: Cultivating Crops in South Jersey Backyards Kei Cripps's urban farm share program helps families turn dormant yards into micro farm lots governed by sustainable, organic practices.

Happy Fourth.

Here's the question Morgan Gold is trying to answer in this video: has anyone been able to profit in small scale farming? He may not have answered it in the way he thinks. His farm journey over the years has shown how to create the myth of the small farm. The choice he unwittingly has set up for himself and those who may follow his path is between creating a lifestyle, or launching a farm business. The still dominant model that he is following is what makes it so hard to make money and be profitable. While it provides an agrarian lifestyle it is missing a crucial element: markets.

The answer to the question is this: Yes, by changing from the mindset of trying to create the perfect image of a farm out in the country to building a business that serves local markets. Use a model that outlines how to achieve specific levels of income, factoring in their other work and family obligations, size of growing space, markets, climate, skills, ambition.

The Myth of the Small Farm Check out our brand new T-Shirt design here: https://bit.ly/GoldShawShirtsBe sure to subscribe to our Channel! New videos on Monday and Thursday and sometime...

Now they're thinking... Brother Nature Produce
Located not far from Downtown Detroit, Greg Willerer launched his urban farming business on just one acre of land. During his first year, he earned almost the equivalent of his teaching salary. His venture, Brother Nature Produce, sells locally grown produce to restaurants across Detroit
Entrepreneurs here see a business opportunity to grow locally, reinventing the way the land is used, while creating products made from an all around sustainable business model.
Noah Link got his start at urban farming after moving back to Michigan in 2010. Link saw the potential for organic farming to take off in Detroit. His business Food Farm has since sustained it’s needs and hired on several employees to grow. “There is definitely opportunity for urban agriculture businesses to grow in Detroit,”

In Detroit this may be another option for aspiring urban farmers to start their businesses without having to buy land.

Detroit and Lightstar Renewables Launch Urban Agriculture Solar Energy Project - DBusiness Magazine The City of Detroit, along with Lightstar Renewables, an independent power producer in Boston, has launched a solar energy project that combines urban agriculture and renewable energy.

Here are some pluses and minuses of community gardens. Mostly it shows why they don't contribute much food to an area's food supply. But some SPIN farmers who have gone on to start and operate serious businesses have used them to get started. So they can be a source of new farmers.

Community Garden Gives City Dwellers a Place to Grow | Potrero View Situated at the corner of 20th Street and San Bruno Avenue, alongside a quaint red bench and picnic table, are 53 highly sought after urban garden plots encircled by a rustic wooden fence Founded in the early-1970s, Potrero Hill Community Garden has a waiting list of almost 400 San Franciscans eager...

Now he's thinking...
“As agriculture continues to move forward, it’s about time we decide to sit down at the table together and decide how we are the same instead of how we are different because, at the end of the day, we’re all advocating for agriculture”

Rural, urban farmers connect on numerous grounds Both rural and urban farmers agree that diversity helps young and beginning farmers get started.

Right now in the SPIN online support group they are talking about...peas. Revenue target for this sub-segment (500 sq. ft.) is $500. Peas provide soil benefits due to nitrogen fixing microbes. They are also easy to weed and are relatively low maintenance and do well in coolish growing conditions.

If the amount of food produced by growers in the city is insignificant, should it be considered agriculture at all?

Do urban farms make a difference when it comes to feeding city dwellers? We lack the data to answer the question. But urban gardens and farms have educational and cultural value.

$18mm could promote and teach production and profit-driven farming techniques that would jumpstart an urban agriculture industry that diversifies the city's economy and provide new revenue streams. Instead, this type of project, designed by those who know little about the actual practice of farming, tries to appease many constituencies and will need ongoing financial support. It's an economic drain rather than gain.

Mayor Adams Breaks Ground on $18 Million Marlboro Agrigultural Education Center in Brooklyn JUN 1 - Mayor Adams Breaks Ground on $18 Million Marlboro Agricultural Education Center in Brooklyn

Memorial Day 2024

One way to help keep urban farms going longer term is for the growers to learn to make them self-supporting financially. They are is less likely to just walk away when the farm is putting money in their pocket.
“What I have seen happen is you have one or two people who start the farm and then they move on, and then it just becomes dormant. So we have to make sure we have a succession plan, a strategic plan, to keep them going so one person doesn’t stop the show.”

Urban Farms getting the attention of the USDA Bringing people into the garden.

Urban flower farms mean business.
In addition to selling flowers to Kranz and Gather Flora at the Original Los Angeles Flower Market in downtown , Ferguson recently started bouquet subscriptions and organized a tour of eight flower farms in L.A. She expected 50 people to show up. “We had to shut down our reservations when it hit 800,” she said, noting the interest in locally grown flowers.
https://www.latimes.com/lifestyle/story/2024-05-21/empty-lot-in-los-angeles-transforms-into-lush-and-water-wise-mini-flower-farm

Right now in the SPIN online support group they are talking about work rate for flame weeding 5 SPIN segments. The size of the plot, 5,000 sq. ft. is shown in the photo. How long do you think it took?

Now they're thinking...
Urban farming is such a vital part of our future when it comes to Ag. Making sure that we can get more local markets and that farmers can get a fair share of their food dollar, Secretary Vilsack is focused on making sure that USDA programs can serve urban farmers.

Black urban farmers in Michigan: ‘Playing field is not equitable’ for funding Black urban farmers in Michigan had a chance to voice concerns over government farming programs and water access.

Now he's thinking...
"Urban producers are a vital part of our agricultural system," said Agriculture Secretary Tom Vilsack. "
https://wisconsinagconnection.com/news/boost-for-urban-agriculture-in-columbus-georgia

Suggestion: They could also use the space to learn about business and the economic value of food to start to build a local food economy.
"UML does not have any sort of agricultural program, but Kim said that students from multiple disciplines have used the urban agricultural setting to do research relevant to their own fields, like engineering or chemistry. 'We had some students really tinker with creating some sort of fertilizers or biodegradable plastics,'
https://www.lowellsun.com/2024/05/19/uml-mill-city-grows-celebrate-greenhouse-expansion/

Now she's thinking...
“So instead of begging these institutions to come back, what would it look like if we galvanized our power and started creating our own businesses?”
https://www.stlpr.org/show/st-louis-on-the-air/2024-05-16/st-louis-farmer-wants-north-city-residents-to-grow-their-food

Now they're thinking....
The passport will do more than inform the public about new and accessible spots to shop. It’s another opportunity to show how urban agriculture can help sustainably support a community
https://www.kcur.org/health/2024-05-13/kansas-city-farmers-market-passport-locally-grown-food

Right now in the SPIN-Farming online support group they are talking about a potato crop that was started in a greenhouse April 3. They are sangre, a fairly early variety. The transplants took. Looking to boost early spring revenue by $2k

Farmers have always had to adapt.
:We’ve been working with high tunnels here at Penn State for 25 years now, but their utility, I think, is going to be increasing for reasons we didn’t consider in the past.”
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Type of Plastic Film on High Tunnels Can Filter Sunlight, Influence Plant Growth UNIVERSITY PARK, Pa. — High-tunnel growing systems, sometimes called hoophouses, have gained popularity for their ability to enhance growth conditions and extend the growing season of horticultural...

Right now in the SPIN online support group they are talking about...this plant growing in a Canadian SPIN farmer's grow room. What is it?
HINT: It's a berry that has a licorice flavor and is believed to extend life by hundreds of years. Really. Popular is Asia.

Right now in the SPIN online support group they are talking about...this herb that is added to salads. It is said to taste like a mix between cucumber and watermelon. What is it?

Now they're thinking...
Healthy food access can be limited in urban, suburban, and rural areas, and small-scale, sustainable, diversified operations are vital to support local and regional food systems.

USDA NRCS in Arkansas announces sign-up for urban agriculture conservation opportunities | Stuttgart Daily Leader LITTLE ROCK, Ark. – The U.S. Department of Agriculture’s (USDA) Natural Resources Conservation Service (NRCS) in Arkansas announced two additional sign-ups through the Environmental Quality Incentives Program’s (EQIP) Small Farm and Urban Agriculture Initiative and the Conservation Stewardship...

Now they're thinking...
People who are just gardening for themselves, or gardening with community … growing in their learning, start to think, ‘Oh, there might be a business opportunity here’

Edmonton Urban Farm on the move at Exhibition Lands The Edmonton Urban Farm is tentatively being relocated to a spot east of Borden Park on the Exhibition Lands, as its current home is set to be redeveloped into housing.

Now they're thinking...
As the Urban Ag Liaison, you will be a key player in promoting sustainable agriculture practices and directly supporting commercial producers.'

SDSPA Seeking Urban Agriculture Liaison PIERRE, S.D. -- The South Dakota Specialty Producers Association (SDSPA) seeks an Urban Agriculture Liaison. The remote contractual position will require 40 hours per week...